Led by Elissa Cunane, NC State women’s basketball poised for magical March Madness run

After defeating Miami 60-47, the NC State Wolfpack is No. 1 in the Atlantic Conference for the third consecutive year. This dominant team isn’t just taking over the Atlantic Coast: it’s the No. 3 team in the nation, according to AP rankings.

That’s why Wingstop ascribed their mango habanero wing sauce to the powerful Wolfpack because like their sweet and spicy wings, the NC State team is easy to root for as they charge forward into March Madness contention.

NC State women’s basketball: 1 player to watch – Elissa Cunane

Elissa Cunane has been a star ever since she graced the court with the WolfPack, playing above the freshman level while leading the team to the ACC Tournament in her first year with the team.

Since Cunane has been on the team, she’s led the Wolfpack to the ACC title for three years in a row, and she’s no less integral now as a senior. She recently won the ACC Championship MVP for the second year in a row, averaging 23.3 points, 9.0 rebounds and 62.5 FGP in 2021.

When NC State recruited Cunane, Coach Wes Moore was looking forward to what the center/power forward would add to their team.

“She is someone who can help us on the block and give us presence inside, but she has also worked very hard on expanding her game,” Moore said. “I trust her in the trail up spot to knock down the three and be able to attack off the bounce.”

Since then, the 6-foot-5 phenom has become a critical all-around player who will be the reason the Wolfpacks make it past the Sweet Sixteen.

NC State women’s basketball:1 reason they’ll cut down the nets – Battle-tested roster

The NC State Wolfpack has been building toward a deeper NCAA Tournament run for years, and after four straight Sweet Sixteen appearances, 2022 is the year they’ll break into the Final Four.

Cunane is a powerful defensive weapon with all-around skills, but she is only one player on a deep roster that kept its top eight scorers from last season. Kayla Jones, Jakia Brown-Turner, Raina Perez and Diamond Johnson are a few of the shooters who helped the Wolfpack defeat the Hurricanes for their third straight ACC title.

The Wolfpack is on the hunt for more, and after too many close seasons and too many talented starters, North Carolina State is hungry for a title they could very much take home for the first time in NCAA history.

NC State women’s basketball: Recent NCAA Tournament history

Hall of Fame head coach Kay Yow made NC State a consistent Sweet Sixteen contender for decades, but the team was never able to break through and win an NCAA title.

Since his hiring in 2013, Coach Wes Moore has brought pack the Wolfpack heat, bringing NC State within the Top 10 national teams in every season he’s been a coach. The past five seasons have been especially elite: NC State has made the Sweet Sixteen every year it was held, won at least 23 regular-season games, and won at least 11 Atlantic Conference games.

2022 will be their best year yet: NC State boasts a 29-3 record, a 17-1 ACC record, and enters March Madness with a No. 1 standing and the No. 3 AP ranking.

If you’re still not sure who to root for in the Women’s NCAA Tournament, our Flavor Finder can help you find a new favorite.

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